Birmingham, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Birmingham, Alabama had a total population of 198,173, the 3rd largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $46,051, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Birmingham is the 3rd largest city in Alabama with a population of 198,173.
Birmingham Quick Facts
How Birmingham Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 198,173 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $46,051 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $138,600 | $158,800 | +14.6% |
How Birmingham Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Birmingham Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoover | 92,642 | $109,253 | 5.1% | $412,200 |
| Vestavia Hills | 38,616 | $134,369 | 10.0% | $530,000 |
| Homewood | 27,829 | $94,485 | 8.9% | $558,500 |
| Trussville | 26,673 | $123,275 | 1.1% | $370,300 |
| Bessemer | 25,400 | $39,613 | 28.0% | $135,900 |
| Mountain Brook | 22,029 | $201,479 | 3.2% | $916,300 |
| Helena | 21,769 | $115,139 | 3.2% | $330,700 |
| Gardendale | 16,534 | $82,192 | 4.3% | $252,600 |
| Hueytown | 16,414 | $62,784 | 16.2% | $155,300 |
| Center Point | 15,914 | $56,417 | 14.3% | $151,700 |
Cities Similar to Birmingham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | 203,416 | $53,558 | $193,300 | 32.0% | 18.4% |
| Montgomery | 197,494 | $56,811 | $161,900 | 33.8% | 21.5% |
| Huntsville | 222,791 | $74,714 | $293,600 | 47.2% | 12.6% |
| Tuscaloosa | 111,038 | $51,464 | $255,500 | 39.4% | 25.1% |
| Auburn | 80,594 | $63,668 | $364,800 | 64.1% | 25.4% |
Population Overview
Birmingham is a major urban center located in Alabama, within Jefferson County. The total population is 198,173. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Birmingham is 35.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Birmingham is $46,051. This is 28% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.7%. This is 58% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $158,800. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 45.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Birmingham is Black or African American, making up 66.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 24.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (24.2%) is well below the state average of 63.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (66.7% vs 25.6%).
Education
31.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Birmingham, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Birmingham, Alabama?
Birmingham, Alabama has a population of 198,173 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Birmingham, AL?
The median household income in Birmingham is $46,051, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Birmingham, AL?
The poverty rate in Birmingham is 24.7%. This means approximately 46,738 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Birmingham, Alabama?
Birmingham's population is 24.2% White, 66.7% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Birmingham, AL?
The median home value in Birmingham is $158,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Birmingham, Alabama?
31.1% of adults (25+) in Birmingham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.